Britons are projected to spend a staggering £3.43 billion on last-minute Christmas shopping during what is being referred to as “Panic Weekend.” The discount site VoucherCodes.co.uk forecasts that 49.6 million individuals will engage in festive shopping this upcoming weekend, with 36.8 million of them opting for in-store purchases, providing a significant boost to town and city centers nationwide.
The prediction suggests that spending will peak at an average of £2.3 million per minute on “Super Saturday,” totaling £1.75 billion overall. This weekend is the final opportunity before Christmas, as many people will either conclude their gift shopping or, in some cases, just begin it.
Zoe Morris, a savings expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk, highlighted, “No matter how well-prepared you believe you are, there are always a few essential Christmas items that catch you off guard, prompting a last-minute dash to the stores.”
She added, “This year, Brits are procrastinating their shopping until the very last moment, with an additional 10 million individuals expected to make purchases during this ‘Panic Weekend’ compared to last year, representing a 26.2% surge in shoppers.”
For retailers, the news is positive as the anticipated spending spree over the weekend is almost 13% higher than the previous year. Data on footfall, indicating the number of shoppers out and about, increased by 5.1% last week, with high streets emerging as the clear winners.
Retail leaders expressed optimism, stating, “These trends provide encouragement as the Christmas countdown reaches its final stretch. With the last ten days of trading underway and ‘Super Saturday’ approaching rapidly, footfall is likely to rise further.”
As schools and many offices break for the holidays this week, the strongest surge in shopping is expected over the weekend, with shoppers focusing on last-minute gift purchases and festive grocery shopping.
The accuracy of these positive forecasts will only be confirmed once stores begin reporting their festive trading figures in the early days of the new year. Concerns have been raised about the delayed announcement of the Budget on November 26 and fears of tax hikes affecting consumer spending.
A quick survey conducted post-Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ statement revealed continued pessimism, with households displaying the gloomiest sentiment toward their financial future since late 2023. The ongoing challenges facing UK households, including subdued confidence and early signs of job insecurity, suggest consumers may not significantly boost the economy as 2026 approaches.